Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924024153987).pdf/322

 BAK

244

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Fami/ne. The subject of famine is treated under th.e articles Lucknow and Fyzabad. The last great famine was in 1837 ; at that time grain rose to five sers for the rupee; in I860, 1869, flour was for some months at eight sers for the rupee, in 1873 at eleven sers.

Famine will be indicated as approaching whenever the millets or barley are at eighteen sers for the rupee for more than a month ; but great floods cause more urgent distress than droughts, even when they only do the same damage. The effect of droughts is that there is an abundant demand for labour on irrigation works, while floods put a stop to all In 1871-72 floods raised the price of wheat to an agricultural operations. average of twenty-four and eighteen sers respectively, but in 1873 drought has raised it to fifteen sers. Bara Banki has two navigable rivers, besides The direct connection with the great cities of Cawnpore and Lucknow. railway within the district is laid for about seventy-three miles with a single line of rails ; importation or exportation of grain upon a large scale is

always feasible.

Statement of prices current for the under-mentioned months during the scarcity of 1869-1870.

Eetail Sale, Articles.

—Quantity

per Rupee.